EP4735283A1 - A covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A covering system (1) for loading compartments (C) of industrial and commercial vehicles (M), comprising a plurality of flexible laminar members (2) each substantially rectangular-shaped with a longitudinal edge and a transversal edge, wherein each member (2) includes a textile base (4) coated by layers of thermoplastic materials (5, 6A, 6B, 7) so as to form a sandwich structure (8) which comprises at least one photovoltaic layer (9) provided with cells made of material with photovoltaic effect and electrical junctions.

Description

A COVERING SYSTEM FOR LOADING COMPARTMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of covering tarpaulins for vehicles and it particularly relates to a system for covering loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles.

Background art

[002] Industrial and commercial covering systems, such as covering tarpaulins for industrial vehicles formed by relatively flexible laminar supports adapted to be tensioned to enclose a compartment have been known long since.

[003] Generally, covering tarpaulins for loading compartments have an internal frame for supporting the tarpaulin so that the latter has a pair of lateral portions and a rear portion that are substantially vertical with a substantially horizontal upper portion.

[004] Furthermore, in some configurations of loading compartments, the upper portion of the tarpaulin can be opened to allow the insertion from above of objects and materials into the compartment.

[005] A typical need of these covers lies in providing on one of their exposed portions writings, information, advertising images or banners of various kinds. [006] A typical example consists of the images imparted on the lateral portions of the tarpaulins by printing for covering loading compartments for goods of transportation vehicles.

[007] It is also known that with the advent of electric mobility there arises the need to increase the use of renewable sources to the detriment of fossil fuel so as to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutant particles into the atmosphere.

[008] To this end, there have been developed particular photovoltaic devices adapted to directly convert solar light energy into electrical energy by using a surface layer made of semiconductor material applied by means of rigid structures to the loading compartments of industrial vehicles. [009] In a per se known manner, the photovoltaic devices are of the silicon- based semiconductor material type which allows to obtain rigid photovoltaic modules which can be applied to the flat surfaces of a building or rigid supports.

[0010] However, the coupling of rigid photovoltaic devices to the flexible surfaces of covering tarpaulins for vehicles is carried out by using specific support means with resulting increase in weight of the structure as well as manufacturing complexity.

[0011] In order to at least partially overcome such drawbacks, there have been developed method for coupling photovoltaic devices to flexible laminar products by directly adhering a photovoltaic cell on a flexible base layer made of coated fabric.

[0012] However, this type of adhesion or anchoring has a reduced half-life and requires frequent maintenance or replacement.

[0013] A further drawback common to the solutions described above lies in the fact that the various surfaces do not adhere completely but by partial coupling along the periphery of the photovoltaic module, which therefore is not completely integrated with the base layer.

[0014] Therefore, there arises the need to provide a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial transportation vehicles of the flexible laminar type and provided with an electrical energy production system.

[0015] Document CN115959026 discloses a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular-shaped photovoltaic laminar members, joined together by hinges so as to mutually fold in a bellows-like manner. The hinges are similar to those for doors and windows.

Technical problem

[0016] In the light of the prior art, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is to apply at least one photovoltaic module in a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles.

Summary of the invention [0017] The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem by providing a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles which is highly efficient and cost-effective.

[0018] A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a covering system of the type described above which allows to fully integrate a photovoltaic module to a flexible textile base.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide a covering system of the type described above that is easy to use and that can be obtained through existing systems and prior art technologies.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a covering system of the type described above which allows to obtain a photovoltaic laminar product with durable half-life over time.

[0021]The objects mentioned above and others which will be more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles, according to claim 1 , which comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular-shaped flexible laminar members with a longitudinal edge and a transversal edge, wherein each member includes a textile base covered by layers of thermoplastic materials so as to form a sandwich structure.

[0022]According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the sandwich structure comprises at least one photovoltaic layer provided with cells made of material with photovoltaic effect and electrical junctions.

[0023] Advantageously, the textile base has dimensions greater than those of the layers of thermoplastic materials superimposed thereto to create a frame around the photovoltaic layer so as to allow the coupling of each laminar member with other laminar members of the same type.

[0024] Furthermore, the laminar members are mutually coupled along a substantially longitudinal connection line by welding, seaming or mechanical couplings.

[0025] Therefore, the plurality of laminar members is configured to form the upper portion of the loading compartment and the transversal edge of each laminar member has sliding means along the upper edges of the upper portion of the loading compartment so as to allow the accordion-like opening and/or closing thereof.

[0026] This combination of characteristics allows the covering system according to the invention to open and close the loading compartment which produces electrical energy to support the vehicle on which it is installed.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are attained according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a covering system for loading compartments for industrial and commercial vehicles like the one mentioned above, shown by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the drawings below, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view of a flexible laminar member of the covering system according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 4 schematically show a top, lateral and rear view respectively of the covering system according to the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show an exploded cross-sectional view of the layers which form the covering system according to the invention and a cross-sectional view thereof.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0029] With particular reference to the figures mentioned above, there is shown a covering system, generally indicated with the reference numeral 1 , for covering loading compartments C for industrial and commercial transportation vehicles M.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the covering system 1 comprises a plurality of flexible laminar members 2 each substantially rectangular-shaped with a longitudinal edge and a transversal edge, and having an outer surface 2A and an inner surface 2B.

[0031]The plurality of flexible laminar members 2 is configured to obtain, at least partly, the tarpaulin 3 for covering the loading compartment C of the vehicle M, as better described below. [0032] Therefore, the vehicle M may have an inner frame, not shown in the figures, for supporting the tarpaulin 3 so that the latter has a pair of lateral portions 3A, 3B and a rear portion 3C that are substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal upper portion 3D.

[0033] Each flexible laminar member 2 includes a textile base 4 covered by layers of thermoplastic materials 5, 6A, 6B, 7 so as to form a sandwich structure 8, as better described below.

[0034] Preferably, the textile base 4 of the sandwich structure 8 may be obtained with a fabric coated with a first polymer material.

[0035] The first polymer material of the textile base 4 may be selected from the group comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticised polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylic resins, silicone elastomers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymers, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and opacified single-sided coating nylon.

[0036] Furthermore, the textile base 4 may be obtained starting from a textile support made of high tenacity polyester or acrylic fibres or glass fibres or aramid fibres.

[0037] This textile support may be subsequently coated or obtained by calandering or coupling.

[0038]According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the sandwich structure 8 comprises at least one photovoltaic layer 9 provided with cells made of material with photovoltaic effect and electrical junctions.

[0039] Preferably, the cells of the photovoltaic layer 9 may be selected from those having the maximum efficiency possible between the cells currently available on the market. By way of example, the cells may have a power comprised between 5.1Wp and 6.3Wp and dimensions comprised between 150x150mm and 170x170mm.

[0040] Suitably, the material with photovoltaic effect with which the cells are made is selected from the group comprising monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), tin sulphide, zinc sulphide, organic perovskite, inorganic perovskite, photovoltaic polymers, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and quantic points.

[0041] Preferably, the photovoltaic cells are made of monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, organic perovskite or inorganic perovskite.

[0042] Furthermore, the opposite surfaces 9A, 9B of the photovoltaic layer 9 are provided with respective coatings 6A, 6B made of a third polymer material adapted to stabilise the structure thereof, insulating the photovoltaic layer 9 and the electrical junctions from the air.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the coatings 6A, 6B are adapted to respectively cover the upper surface 9A of the at photovoltaic layer 9 in which the photovoltaic cells are present and the lower surface 9B in which the electrical junctions are present.

[0044]The third polymer material of the coatings 6A, 6B comprises ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) or a similar polymer having a low coefficient of permeability to water vapour.

[0045] By way of example, the coatings 6A, 6B may have a thickness comprised between 400pm and 650pm.

[0046] Therefore, in order to integrate and/or couple the textile base 4 with a photovoltaic layer 9, the sandwich structure 8 comprises a coupling substrate 5 obtained with at least one first elastomeric material, arranged above the textile base 4, as better shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0047] Therefore, the coupling substrate 5 has the function of making the surface of the textile base 4 compatible with the photovoltaic layer 9 in terms of adhesion.

[0048] Furthermore, the elastomeric material of the coupling substrate 5 may be selected from a series of elastomeric materials having both high physical characteristics of adhesion between the first textile base 4 and the coating 6B present on the lower surface 9B of the photovoltaic layer 9 and chemical characteristics adapted to avoid the oxidation of the electrical junctions.

[0049] Preferably, the elastomeric polymers of the coupling substrate 5 may be selected from the group comprising thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPO or TPU) or similar elastomeric polymers. [0050] By way of example, the coupling substrate 5 may have a thickness comprised between 380pm and 630pm.

[0051] In order to protect the photovoltaic cells, on the photovoltaic layer 9 there is present at least one uniform protection layer 7 of a second optically transparent polymer material which has predetermined mechanical and chemical characteristics to protect the photovoltaic layer 9 from atmospheric agents.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protection layer 7 may comprise fluorinated polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE).

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the protection layer 7 may comprise a transparent varnish based on nanostructures and adapted to facilitate the cleaning of the covering system 1.

[0054] By way of example, the protection layer 7 may have a thickness comprised between 350pm and 600pm.

[0055] It is clear that the covering system 1 comprising a plurality of flexible members 2 obtained as described above allows to provide a unitary photovoltaic covering laminar product with characteristics of resistance to mechanical stresses typical of flexible roofs.

[0056] Therefore, the covering system 1 according to the invention comprises a plurality of flexible laminar members 2 each obtained from a textile base 4 made of fabric coated with a first polymer material, a coupling substrate 5 made of a first elastomeric material, a photovoltaic layer 9 provided with cells made of material with photovoltaic effect, a pair of coatings 6A, 6B made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and a protection layer 7.

[0057]As better shown in FIG. 5, the textile base 4 has dimensions greater than those of the layers of thermoplastic materials 5, 6A, 6B, 7 superimposed thereto to create a frame 10 around the photovoltaic layer 9 so as to allow the coupling of each laminar member 2 with other laminar members of the same type.

[0058] Therefore, the frame 10 allows the coupling of a flexible laminar member 2 with other flexible members 2. As a matter of fact, the laminar members 2 are mutually coupled along a connection line 11 along the longitudinal edge by welding, seaming or mechanical couplings.

[0059] In this manner, the plurality of flexible laminar members 2 joined in series along the respective connection lines 11 allows to obtain a photovoltaic active surface 2A perfectly integrated to a textile base 4 and configured to form the upper portion 3D of the loading compartment C.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the transversal edge 12 of each laminar member 2 has sliding means 13 configured to slide along the upper edges 14 of the upper portion 3D of the loading compartment C so as to allow the accordionlike opening and/or closing of the covering system 1.

[0061] Obviously, in order to allow the accordion-like sliding of each laminar member 2 along the upper edges 14, the sliding means 13 may comprise sliders positioned in an alternating manner at the transversal ends of the longitudinal connection lines 11 and slidable along appropriate straight guides arranged parallel to the transversal edges 12.

[0062] However, the sliding means 13 may be different from those mentioned above, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. [0063] In an embodiment, not shown in the figures, the sliding means 13 may be electrical and supplied directly by the photovoltaic layer 9 of the covering system 1.

[0064] Preferably, an electrical energy accumulator, not shown in the figures, may be arranged in the compartment C and connected to the electrical junctions of the photovoltaic layer 9 of the covering system 1.

[0065] In this manner, the accumulator may be operatively connected to driving means for driving the vehicle M by interposing an appropriate energy transformation device, also not shown in the figures, so as to provide power to each possible electric or electronic device connected to the vehicle M.

[0066]According to experimental tests, it was observed that the covering system 1 subject of the invention applied to the upper portion of a trailer with base measuring about 13000x2500mm and comprising about thirty photovoltaic modules having about twelve cells each and in which each cell comprises a power of about 5.2Wp, is capable of producing a nominal power of about 1 ,85kWp.

[0067] This result was obtained by dimensioning each flexible laminar member 2 of the covering system 1 with base measuring about 2300x280mm, with a frame 10 of about 80mm in width.

[0068] In the light of the above, it is clear that the covering system according to the invention achieves the pre-established objects and in particular it allows to apply at least one photovoltaic module in a covering system for loading compartments of industrial and commercial vehicles.

[0069]Although the covering system has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numerals used in the description and in the claims are meant for improving the intelligibility of the invention and they do not limit the claimed scope of protection in any manner whatsoever.

[0070] Throughout the description, reference to “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” indicate a particular characteristic, structure or element described is comprised in at least one embodiment of the object of the present invention.

[0071] Furthermore, the particular characteristics, structures or elements may be combined in any appropriate fashion in one or more embodiments.

Industrial applicability

[0072] The present invention can be applied at industrial level because it can be manufactured on industrial scale by industries belonging to the covering systems manufacturing industry.

Claims

1. A covering system (1) for loading compartments (C) of industrial and commercial vehicles (M), comprising a plurality of flexible laminar members (2) each having a substantially rectangular shape, with a longitudinal edge and a transversal edge, wherein each member (2) includes a textile base (4) covered with layers of thermoplastic materials (5, 6A, 6B, 7) so as to form a sandwich structure (8); characterised in that said sandwich structure (8) comprises at least one photovoltaic layer (9) provided with cells made of material with photovoltaic effect and electrical junctions, said laminar members (2) being flexible and mutually coupled along a connection line (11) along said longitudinal edge by welding, seaming or mechanical couplings.

2. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said textile base (4) has dimensions greater than those of the layers of thermoplastic materials (5, 6A, 6B, 7) mutually superimposed thereto to create a frame (10) around said photovoltaic layer (9) to allow coupling of each laminar member (2) with other laminar members of the same type.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said plurality of laminar members (2) is configured to form the upper portion (3D) of the loading compartment (C).

4. System as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said loading compartment (C) has an upper portion (3D) with upper edges (14), each laminar member (2) comprises a transversal edge (12) having sliding means (13) adapted to slide along said upper edges (14) to allow the accordion-like opening and/or closing thereof.

5. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that an electrical energy accumulator arranged in the compartment (C) is connected to the electrical junctions of said photovoltaic layer (9).

6. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said textile base (4) comprises a fabric coated with a first polymer material, said layers of thermoplastic materials (5, 6A, 6B, 7) comprising at least one coupling substrate (5) obtained with at least one first elastomeric material arranged above said textile base (4).

7. System as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said first polymer material of said textile base (4) is selected from the group comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticised polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylic resins, silicone elastomers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and opacified single-sided coating nylon.

8. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the opposite surfaces (9A, 9B) of said photovoltaic layer (9) are provided with respective coatings (6A, 6B) made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

9. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that on said photovoltaic layer (9) there is present at least one uniform protection layer (7) made of a second optically transparent polymer material which has predetermined mechanical and chemical characteristics to protect the photovoltaic cells from atmospheric agents.

10. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the cells of said at least one photovoltaic layer (9) are made of a material with photovoltaic effect selected from the group comprising monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), tin sulphide, zinc sulphide, organic perovskite, inorganic perovskite, photovoltaic polymers, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and quantic points.